OHAP. XI] ' HONOURS 1303 
of the Judicial Committee, in order to strengthen it in dealing 
with Australian appeals. The same dignity has been con- 
ferred upon the Chief Justice of the High Court of the 
Commonwealth, Sir Samuel Griffith, who was made a Privy 
Councillor in 1901. 
In the case of the Union of South Africa, the Chief Justice 
has been created a Baron, and the Chief Justice of Canada 
is usually created a member of the Privy Council, besides 
receiving the honour of Knighthood, or the K.C.M.G.. as 
Administrator of the Government. 
In addition to the Privy Councillorship, the highest honour 
which can be conferred on any British subject, the normal 
modes of rewarding services to the Empire in the Dominions, 
are those conferring membership of one of the classes of 
St. Michael and St. George, which was instituted originally 
in 1818, in connexion with services to the Crown in Malta and 
the Tonian Islands. The Order as now constituted ! consists 
of the Sovereign, who is chief of the Order, the Grand Master, 
who is the Prince of Wales, and Knights Grand Cross, not 
to exceed 100, of which number 30 are assignable for foreign 
services and are disposed of by the Secretary of State for 
Foreign Affairs. There are 300 Knights Commanders, of 
which 90 are disposed of for foreign services, and 725 Com- 
panions, of which number 217 are assignable for foreign ser- 
vices.2 The entry to the Order is as a general rule through 
the lowest class, the Companionships, and the great majority 
of appointments to the high Orders conform to this rule ; in 
several cases, however, the possession of a C.B. or of a Knight- 
hood has been considered sufficient to justify the grant of 
a K.C.M.G., without requiring the grant of a C.M.G. The 
grant of a G.C.M.G. without a previous grant is extremely 
rare, but Sir Wilfrid Laurier was granted a G.C.M.G. in 
1897, as a signal mark of the royal favour and a recognition of 
his great services to Canada. 
In addition, the creation of Knights Bachelor is not rare. 
Agents-General and Judges normally receive this honour, 
! Under various royal warrants. 
There are honorary members also, foreigners so appointed.